Like its parent compound 3-FA, the pharmacological, toxicological, and subjective effects of 3-FEA in humans have yet to be mapped out in detail. Anecdotal reports have characterised 3-FEA as a moderately potent serotonin-dominant triple monoaminereleaser that produces a mixture of entactogenic and mild stimulating effects.[citation needed]

3-FEA has an extremely short history of human recreational use and has not been documented being sold on the streets. It has recently been made available for sale on the grey market as a research chemical by online vendors.[citation needed] Due to its potent psychostimulant effects, likely habit-forming properties, and unknown toxicity profile, it is strongly recommended that one use proper harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Chemistry

Generic structure of an amphetamine molecule

3-FEA, or 3-fluoroethamphetamine, is a synthetic molecule of the amphetamine chemical class. Molecules of the amphetamine class contain a phenethylamine core comprised of a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain substituted with a methyl group at Rα (i.e. amphetamines are alpha-methylated phenethylamines).

3-FEA is the 3-position fluorinated analog of ethylamphetamine (also known as ethamphetamine). It is also an analog of fenfluramine with the 3-trifluoromethyl group replaced with a 3-fluoro substituent.[citation needed]

It has been demonstrated that compared to the unsubstituted ethylamphetamine, 3-fluoroethamphetamine is a weaker releaser of dopamine, but a stronger releaser of both serotonin and norepinephrine, producing the strongest reinforcing effects in animal studies out of a range of 3-substituted amphetamine derivatives tested, despite not being the most potent dopamine releaser.[3][2]

Subjective effects

Unlike its close analog 3-FA, which has been reported as being relatively functional and non-recreational, 3-FEA appears to produce effects more similar to another analog 4-FA, which produces marked entactogenic effects. 3-FEA has also been reported to produce less stimulation compared to 4-FA to the degree that some users report it as being primarily sedating. This effect profile likely makes 3-FEA a poor candidate for functional use and better suited for recreational use in a manner similar to MDMA.

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWikicontributors. These effects should be taken with a grain of salt and will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier doses will increase the chances of inducing a full range of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely on higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Physical effects

Sedation & Stimulation - 3-FEA has been reported to produce a paradoxical combination of sedating and stimulatory effects, with the sedating aspects believed to be attributable to the significant amount of serotonin it releases. The stimulatory effects are typically more prominent at dosages in and above the strong dosage range and tend to become prominent after the peak effects of a dose have subsided.

Perception of bodily heaviness - Depending on whether one is feeling more stimulated than sedated, one will often feel as if they are lighter (as in this case) or heavier in the other.

Spontaneous bodily sensations - Early reports have described the "body high" of 3-FEA as a moderate to strong euphoric tingling sensation that can encompass the entire body that is capable of becoming extremely pleasurable at higher dosages. This sensation maintains a consistent presence that steadily rises with the onset and hits its limit once the peak has been reached.

Pupil dilation - This effect is often very significant at even lower common dosages and the significance at common dosages has been described as being in line with that of a standard dosage of MDMA. This effect can also reportedly continue long after the duration of the main effects of the substance have subsided.[citation needed] The significance of this effect is thought to be attributable to the significant amount of serotonin that 3-FEA releases.[citation needed]

Teeth grinding - Teeth grinding often occurs with higher or multiple doses and can be comparable in extent as MDMA.

Cognitive effects

Anxiety suppression or Anxiety - 3-FEA typically produces anxiety suppressing effects characteristic of serotonin-releasing entactogens; however, anxiety may also occur nearer the end of the substance's effect duration when higher dosages have been used.

Thought acceleration or Thought deceleration - 3-FEA can often case thought acceleration during the come-up and first half of the peak of the substance's effect duration, but then may also cause minor to significant thought deceleration from the latter half of the peak onward, typically more often at higher dosages.

Compulsive redosing - This effect is often most prominent during or immediately following the peak of the substance's effects.

Time distortion - This can be described as the experience of time speeding up and passing much quicker than it usually would when sober.

Wakefulness - This effect typically only occurs following the use of higher or multiple dosages.

After effects

The effects which occur during the offset of a stimulant experience generally feel negative and uncomfortable in comparison to the effects which occurred during its peak. This is often referred to as a "comedown" and occurs because of neurotransmitter depletion. Its effects commonly include:

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 3-FEA use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because 3-FEA has an extremely brief history of human usage, first becoming available in mid-2016.

Early anecdotal reports suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this substance at low to moderate doses by itself and using it very cautiously sparingly (although nothing can be completely guaranteed).

Due to its serotonin-releasing entactogenic properties, it is possible 3-FEA may display significant affinity and activity at the 5-HT2B receptor, which like 5-HT2B agonists such as MDMA and fenfluramine would make it cardiotoxic with long-term or heavy use.[4]

Tolerance and addiction potential

Although it still remains to be seen, the chronic use of 3-FEA will likely come to be considered to be moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and capable of causing psychological dependence among a certain population of users. When dependence or addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.

Tolerance to many of the effects of 3-FEA develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. Afterward, it takes about 2 - 3 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 3-7 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 3-FEA likely presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic and serotonergicstimulants and entactogens, meaning that after the consumption of 3-FEA all stimulants will have a reduced effect (including atypical stimulants one might not expect, such MDMA or amphetamine due to its reliance on robust dopamine and norepinephrine stores to exert its full spectrum of effect).

Psychosis

Abuse of compounds within the amphetamine chemical class at high dosages for prolonged periods of time can potentially result in a stimulant psychosis that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions).[5] A review on treatment for amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely.[6][7] The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis.[8] Psychosis very rarely arises from therapeutic use.[9][10]

Dangerous interactions

Although many psychoactive substances are reasonably safe to use on their own, they can quickly become harmful and even life-threatening when taken with other substances. The following section lists some known dangerous combinations, but it may not include all of them. Furthermore, a combination that seems to be harmless in low doses can still greatly increase the risk of injury or death when the doses are slightly increased. Independent research should always be conducted to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some interactions listed have been sourced from Tripsit.

Alcohol - Drinking on stimulants is considered risky because it reduces the sedative effects of the alcohol that the body uses to gauge drunkenness. This often leads to excessive drinking with greatly reduced inhibitions, increasing the risk of liver damage and increased dehydration. The effects of stimulants will also allow one to drink past a point where they might normally pass out, increasing the risk. If you do decide to do this then you should set a limit of how much you will drink each hour and stick to it, bearing in mind that you will feel the alcohol and the stimulant less.

GHB/GBL - Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of sedatives. If the stimulant wears off first then the opiate may overcome the user and cause respiratory arrest.

Opioids - Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of opiates. If the stimulant wears off first then the opiate may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest.

Cocaine - This combination of stimulants will increase strain on the heart. It is not favored as cocaine has a mild blocking effect on dopamine releasers like amphetamine.

Caffeine - This combination of stimulants is generally considered unnecessary and may increase strain on the heart, as well as potentially causing anxiety and physical discomfort.

Tramadol - Tramadol and stimulants both increase the risk of seizures.

DXM - Both substances raise heart rate, in extreme cases, panic attacks caused by these substances have led to more serious heart issues.

Ketamine - No unexpected interactions. Likely to increase blood pressure but not an issue with sensible doses. Moving around on high doses of this combination may be ill advised due to risk of physical injury.

25x-NBOMe - Amphetamines and NBOMes both provide considerable stimulation that when combined they can result in tachycardia, hypertension, vasoconstriction and, in extreme cases, heart failure. The anxiogenic and focusing effects of stimulants are also not good in combination with psychedelics as they can lead to unpleasant thought loops. NBOMes are known to cause seizures and stimulants can increase this risk.

MAOIs - MAO-B inhibitors can increase the potency and duration of phenethylamines unpredictably. MAO-A inhibitors with amphetamine can lead to hypertensive crises.

Legal status

3-FEA is currently a grey area compound within many parts of the world, meaning its regulation lies in a legal grey area and that it is not known to be specifically illegal ("scheduled") within any country. However, individuals may still be charged for its possession under certain circumstances such as under analog laws and with intent to sell or consume.

United States: 3-FEA may be considered to be an analogue of amphetamine under the Federal Analogue Act and thus a Schedule II drug. The Federal Analogue Act, 21 U.S.C. § 813, is a section of the United States Controlled Substances Act, allowing any chemical "substantially similar" to an illegal drug (in Schedule I or II) to be treated as if it were also in Schedule I or II, but only if it is intended for human consumption.

United Kingdom: 3-FEA is considered a Class A drug as a result of the amphetamine analog clause of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.[11]

Canada: 3-FEA would be considered Schedule I as it is an analog of Amphetamine.[12]

New Zealand: 3-FEA is an amphetamine analog, so is a Schedule 3 controlled substance in New Zealand.[13]

↑ 2.02.1Tessel RE, Rutledge CO. Specificity of release of biogenic amines from isolated rat brain tissue as a function of the meta substituent of N-ethylamphetamine derivatives. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1976;15:142.